Lakers' Barnes, NBA players assist the needy

Oct. 24, 2011

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Lakers forward Matt Barnes, who grew up in Northern California, said "It's always good to remember where you came from. ... I came from the streets like most of these people. And when you get to a certain level,its always good to give back." TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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NBA players Matt Barnes, Dorrell Wright, Keyon Dooling and Trevor Ariza came together Saturday to provide necessities to needy families. It was a chance, they said, to give back to fans who have been supportive over the years. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Keyon Dooling called Trevor Ariza a week ago and asked him to help with the " BIg Assist" project. Ariza jumped at the chance. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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"The Big Assist" program, hosted by Keyon Dooling and Trevor Ariza, gave away food and personal care items to underprivileged children in the Compton community.Care packages include food, hygiene products, school supplies, canned food and other essential products. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Matt Barnes and Dorell Wright of the Golden State Warriors share a light moment before the food giveaway begins. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Lakers forward Matt Barnes said he jumped at the chance to help Keyon Dooling and Trevor Ariza give back to the L.A. community with a food giveaway. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Warriors small forward Dorell Wright was in charge of handing out tissue boxes to the 265 families that showed up at the giveaway Saturday. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Ex-Laker Trevor Ariza said "The Big Assist" program was designed to help out single parents that need food and toiletries. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Rookie Jordan Hamilton, who grew up in Los Angeles, passed out gift bags to many of the mothers. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Milwaukee's Keyon Dooling, vice-president of the players association, took a break from contract talks to play host to a food giveaway Saturday. He said during the lockout, he "just wanted to give back." TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Keyon Dooling told the kids in the crowd Saturday that they can be anything they want. "If you can close your eyes and visual, you can open your eyes and realize." Good advice. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

The NBA players -- Jordan Hamilton, Trey Tompkins, Trevor Ariza and Keyon Dooling -- joined together to hand out food and toiletries Saturday to underprivileged children and their families in L.A. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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New Orleans forward Trevor Ariza says it's important to give back to the community "because the fans and people in the cities, they do so much for us as players by coming to the arenas watching us play." TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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After the goods were gone, it was time for autographs. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

Trevor Ariza and Dorell Wright spent a part of their Saturday afternoon with underprivileged families at "The Big Assist." Ariza said, "I try to do as much as I can whenever I can." The current NBA lockout allows players plenty of time to do other things. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Trevor Ariza was in charge of handing out oatmeal to families who showed up to "The Big Assist" food giveaway. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

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Clippers rookie Trey Thompkins interacted with young fans during the food giveaway. His NBA career has been put on hold because of the lockout. TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

Lakers forward Matt Barnes, who grew up in Northern California, said "It's always good to remember where you came from. ... I came from the streets like most of these people. And when you get to a certain level,its always good to give back."TEXT, PHOTO BY JANIS CARR

Matt Barnes was talking about how hard the NBA lockout is on basketball fans when suddenly a man interrupted him in mid-sentence.

"Can we get the Lakers back?" the gray-haired man asked.

(Click on the photo to go behind the scenes at this NBA charity event)

"See, the fans are the ones who miss out (because of the impasse between the league and players union)," Barnes said Saturday. "The economy is terrible, but they still are coming out, supporting us and buying tickets every night.

"I feel worse for the fans because despite all what they are going through in their lives, they still want to support us."

And that's why the Lakers forward, along with several other NBA stars, was at Washington Park in Los Angeles on Saturday for "The Big Assist." He wanted to give back to the fans that have supported him throughout his nine years in the NBA and continue to support the players during the lockout.

"The Big Assist" was a one-day food giveaway, hosted by New Orleans' Trevor Ariza and Milwaukee's Keyon Dooling and his Gametyme Foundation. Approximately 265 underprivileged families received care packages that included food, hygiene products, school supplies, canned food and other essential products.

The idea for the giveaway was Dooling's, who has done four such stops over the past week.

"Our county has hit a rough spell and there's love that needs to be given out," said Dooling, vice president of the NBA players union. "...I'm an American and I'm very sensitive to the issues that are plaguing our country. I'm very aware of the unions across the country—the teachers or police – and our fight is no different than theirs.

"Although it (NBA lockout) in the public eye, it's just as significant as everyone's own individual struggle and we're all apart of the same struggle as Americans."

Dooling first contacted several sponsors, who donated food items such as oatmeal, jelly, canned pasta, soup and vegetables, while other companies donated toothpaste, tissue and laundry soap.

The Bucks guard then went about contacting other L.A.-based NBA players, who set aside their scheduled events to help out. He first called Ariza, his best friend and former Lakers star. Ariza then contacted Barnes.

"Why is this important?" Dooling asked, repeating the question. "I come from very humble beginnings and I have this platform not to be just a blessing to my family but to be a blessing to others. So, I'm taking advantage of (the lockout) and not sitting around and talking about what's not being done in our country (but) it's me challenging others."

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